A small exhibit celebrating the University’s 175th Anniversary, two cases of fascinating artifacts from Villanova’s history, is on display in the President’s Lounge, Connelly Center, through April 28. Objects range from a framed 1793 survey of the property that would later be named Belle-Aire to the first issue of The Villanovan, November 1916, and more. Everything on exhibit is from the University Archives housed in Falvey Memorial Library.

In one case are two photographs, an 1898 photograph of the Dramatic Society and one from 1912 showing Villanova College Students and the Rev. Edward G. Dohan, OSA, President; a pennant; a Temple Stadium Program Button dated 1942; a program for a 1942 Villanova vs Temple football game; an opened 1966 Belle Air; and a freshman beanie.

The other case houses a framed photograph of the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, University President; a framed list of all of Villanova’s presidents; a photograph of the the Rev. John P. O’Dwyer, OSA, PhD, Villanova’s first president; the framed 1793 survey, “[l]ater to become known as Belle-Aire and the foundation of the Villanova University Campus;” an old spoon with a bent handle found near Alumni Hall in 1991; a large metal lock and key from the Rudolph mansion, “all that remains of the earliest college building;” the first issue of The Villanovan, November 1916; a brass holy water font from the 1887 church; a hand-colored photograph of the Belle-Aire mansion in 1899; and the Annual Catalog of … Villanova College, Academic Year: 1870-1871, a bound book with the title page annotated by the Rev. Thomas C. Middleton, OSA, president 1876-1878.

Old spoon with O.S.A. on handle

Lock and key from Belle Air mansion

This select collection of memorabilia gives a tantalizing look at the University’s history and the treasures housed in the University Archives. Visit “Villanova College to University: 150 Years of Augustinian Tradition and Promise 1842 – 1992,” an online exhibit prepared for the University’s sesquicentennial, for a more comprehensive view of Villanova’s history. For information about the University Archives contact Michael Foight, Special Collections and Digital Library coordinator, 610-519-5185.